In 1998, David Mabberley of theRoyal Botanic Gardens Sydney, described a new native citrus discovered near Humpty Doo not far from Darwin, in
Australia's Northern Territory. Named Citrus gracilis, it is clearly a close
relative of the native Australian citrus varieties formerly
classified
as
'Microcitrus'
and
'Eremocitrus'. |
The following pictures were kindly sent to me from the Northern Territory Herbarium in Australia. I believe these were the first pictures of Citrus gracilis on the
internet. |
Twig growth and leaf form is similar to Citrus glauca, which grows further south in much drier areas. Bark is much rougher than other
citrus. |
The fresh fruit are said to be green and up to 10 cms in diameter. At first I thought
these brown and toad-like specimens were dried, but in fact they have been
pickled to retain shape and texture. The process does, however, destroy the original
colour. |
Any seeds, photos, or further information about Citrus gracilis, gratefully received. Click to E-mail me! |
page updated 20th October 2004 |
The first botanical description of Citrus gracilis was published in the Australian
journal Telopea, from which the following quotes are taken:- "Armed straggling tree to 4m high, often coppicing and suckering; bark cracking into irregular squares." "Flowers usually solitary." "Fruit about 8 cm diameter, globose." "Eucalypt woodland with grassy understory on sandy or gravelly soils." |
Drawings by T.G.Hartley (permission pending) |
I have recently been in contact with TENPS, the Australian 'Top End Native Plant Society', which is looking after a small population
of Citrus gracilis. The following pictures were taken by their members. Notice, as in the original description, the suckers and the irregular squares of bark. |
a new Australian native |
New pictures at:- |
